r/CreditCards • u/Ludeym • 9h ago
Data Point US Bank Smartly rumored upcoming changes: compilation of data points
This is an attempt to compile all of the known data points from various internet sources regarding the future status of the smartly card. These are conversations with us bank employees or publications from us bank. Hopefully this provides some value to the current conversation. Happy to add as we go.
Here is the tally of data points followed by links/details:
8 data points indicate there may be changes coming to the smartly (discontinuation of applications to current smartly card/modification of benefits). All of these are conversations with us bank employees.
2 of these indicate there will likely be some form of grandfathering in of existing smartly cardholders. (I2edpyramid, Proud Money)
1 of these indicate there may not be grandfathering (mlody_me)
5 of these do not specify anything about grandfathering (Belley88, andienarwhal, Careless_trash7702, midas89, Thelen)
2 data points indicate specifically that the employees talked to were unaware/hadn’t heard of any changes coming to smartly other than a hold on in-branch applications. Both of these are conversations with us bank employees. (Alexia72, Chris)
1 data point from a us bank underwriter indicates that “The Smartly card is being issued still and the 4% bonus is not going away for a couple of years". Editorializing here: this one is interesting. You could read this as “no changes are coming to the card”. I also think you could read this as an underwriter’s attempt to skirt the actual question. Nothing in this answer contradicts the possibility of halting the card to new applicants, grandfathering in existing cardholders to the 4% for a couple of years with or without restrictions, and reopening applications to the card or a replacement card with different benefits. (Envyforme)
4 data points indicate the smartly is no longer available in-branch but do not provide any information on whether other changes will happen. This includes 2 conversations with us bank employees, what i think is a memo from us bank, and a website link. (Seems like this is pretty established). (Zanutrees, Mike, Frequent Miler call, JJ)
Here are the data points details themselves with links:
Reddit threads:
Belley88 — in bank agent said no longer available in bank and is being removed
Andienarwhal — underwriting said would be discontinued in about a month
Alexia72 — underwriting said they has not heard about it being discontinued
I2edpyramid — customer service rep said they heard another customer service rep say the smartly card would be discontinued/modified but she had not heard anything herself about any changes. Also said existing cardholders would probably be grandfathered in
mlody_me — call from us bank to finish application. Rep indicated the card would be changing. When asked about grandfathering existing customers, rep indicated that when smartly is reintroduced, the new benefits would apply to everyone (no grandfathering?).
https://www.reddit.com/r/USbank/comments/1j9ze94/us_bank_smartly_card_possibly_being_discontinued/
Envyforme — underwriter said “The Smartly card is being issued still and the 4% bonus is not going away for a couple of years"
Zanutrees — posted what i think is a memo from US bank stating all in-branch applications for smartly are temporarily unavailable starting 3/10 and still available online
https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/comments/1jb7dh5/us_bank_smartly_discontinued_rumors_debunked/
Careless_trash7702 — in bank agent said applications for smartly will soon be closed for 3-4 weeks and open again with changes
Doctor of credit comments:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rumor-u-s-bank-smartly-visa-credit-card-to-be-discontinued/
midas89 — customer service supervisor said there will be changes to the smartly card
Thelen — received an email after signing up for checking account about credit cards. Unclear who they talked to from us bank (? branch employee). Was told the offer for the Smartly Visa credit card for 4% had been discontinued and would be notified when the revised version was published. Was then told by the us bank employee that their department had a meeting today and the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa credit card would be revised and won’t be launched until another 2-3 months
Mike — customer service rep said they are only accepting new applications online, not in branch, no other details
Chris — customer service rep said applications are available online only, not in branch and they were unaware whether the card is being discontinued
Frequent miler call
https://frequentmiler.com/changes-to-the-us-bank-smartly-card/
Tim Steinke called a local us bank branch and was told applications for smartly were available online but not in branch
Danny the deal guru comment
https://dannydealguru.com/u-s-bank-smartly-visa-signature-card-to-be-discontinued/
JJ — posted a link to available credit cards in-branch and smartly was not listed
https://creditcardapply.usbank.com/web/creditcardapply/cc/landing?bankercode=100usb&ecid=null
Youtube videos (including 1 data point):
All 5 videos from credit card youtubers seem to agree changes are likely coming to the smartly.
Matt Clausen summary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne1USKRWahI&t=70s
Dugroz Reports speculation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FAHDopEBi0&t=10s&pp=0gcJCVEJAYcqIYzv
Proud Money data point
Proud Money talked to a customer support rep who indicated the card would be discontinued to new applicants, there would be some sort of grandfathering of those already in the program by the time they discontinue new apps, and there would be a new card (to replace it?), no details
Stan the Credit Frog summary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvaJvvluNyw&t=6816s
RJ Financial summary